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S1)rI'ION V1 <br />1NTF.RPRETATIONS <br />Architecture <br /> `1'he Ridge Site and the ridge on which it is situated is cautiously <br /> interpreted as a problematic prehistoric game driveway. It is believed <br /> thst a camar~ial game drive system primarily utilized natural topographic <br />.' features in its operation except near the north end of the ridge. At <br /> that pouit, due to scarce vegetation, it may have been advantageous for <br /> the hunters to construct single stone alignments on or adjacent to the <br /> gana~ trail. The rock aligr¢nent (Figure 12) at Test Pits 4 and 4A is <br /> singly a single course of small dry laid basalt boulders. It is <br /> probably man-+nade and is two meters long and appears to be situated at a <br /> right angle across an abandoned game trail. The rocks show a heavy <br /> grortli of lichens which suggests they have not been moved in score time <br /> (see Benedict 1985:43). Since the alignment was narraa and only one <br /> stone wide, it is questionable that it ever supported additional courses <br /> of rock. It seems to be nothing more than a simple one course <br />' alignment. It is in~ortant to note that the game trail may have taken a <br /> ne~u route from this point after the alignment was placed there. 'T'his is <br /> by no means certain but can be seen in Figure B.The secrond aligr¢mnt at <br /> 'It.st Pit 6 is about the same length (2 meters) as that at Test Yit 4. <br /> It is similarly constructed but there is no evidence of an abandoned <br /> trail there. If it once did block a trail, it was prior to the time <br />~.~ substantial pinyon and juniper trees began to grow on either side of it. <br /> The alignments may have served as psychological blocks for the game <br /> anirruls that could have caused than to hesitate and perhaps mill about. <br />~ They could also be part of same form of blind structure. Suggestions on <br />_ the problematic operation of the hunting system are outlined in Figure <br /> 7. It is believed that the intended game was most likely elk. The <br />~~ presence of a limited amount of lithic nt,terial at the north etrd of the <br /> site indicates that at least one kill was nade at this point. The: <br /> relatively limited amount of lithic m.3terial arrd its confined <br />~ distribution c~ibined with a lack of evidence for rrnrch effort being <br />~~~ placed in construction and nt~intel:ance of the drive system, argues <br /> ayair~st this area being the scene of much killing. In this writer's <br /> view, kills were probably only one or perhaps a few. The resource is <br />~~ considered to be very ephemeral, perhaps reflecting only one hunting <br /> episode in the mists of prehistory. It is important to note, however, <br /> that the types and percentages of littuc flakes which are believed to <br />( have served to butcher the animal(s), appear to be very similar to those <br />~' recovered frctu SL7P271 just belc~ the ridge on Fast Roatcap Creek. This <br /> site contains at lez~st two very ephemeral crnQonents and one of t~iese is <br />' very clearly a hunting camp where meat portions were seenungly processed <br />.. (Halter 1986a, 1987) . Fornial analysis of artifacts from SD'P271 has not <br /> yet begun. It rely, ho,aever, be suggested that 5DI'771 ar,d 271 nr~y have a <br />. close cultural ulid ttngoral asscxiation. This seems plausible due to <br /> tt~e very limited aboriginal resources in the area and the real <br /> possibility that we ore dealing with only a limited time period during <br /> which these resources came into being. <br />~9 <br />l <br />